Safety device for locks



A. ANDREANI.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR LOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY30. I919.

Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

I all, 7

PATENT omcs.

ANTOINE ANDREANI, 0F GENEVA, SWITZERLAND.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR LOCKS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

Application filed July 30, 1919. Serial No. 314,360.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ANTOINE ANDRr'iANI, a subject of the Kingdom of Italy, residing at Geneva, Switzerland, have invented new and useful Improvements in Safety Devices for Locks of which the following is a specification. 1

The subject of the present invention is a safety device for looks which comprises,

similarly to other known safet devices, a rotatable cylinder held by tumb erelements which may be displaced by a key to release the cylinder and permit its rotation. The invention is distinguished by the fact that the tumbler elements act in two diametrically opposite positions of the cylinder and by the fact that the cylinder is released by the withdrawal of the tumbler elements into the cylinder in lieu of by pushing them outward. 1

The accompanying drawings show two embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 being a longitudinal section of one embodiment applied to a strong box lock. Fig. 2 is an end view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of a second embodiment applied to a door, Fig. 4 is a front view thereof, Figs. 5 and 6 show the key of the device shown in Fig. 1 in side view and in section on the line it. 3 Figs. 7 and 8 show in front view and in section a group of two tumbler elements in locking position. Figs. 9 and 10 show the same in unlocking position.

The embodiments shown comprise- (1st) A casing t traversed by a cylindrical opening and within which are formed two diametrically opposite longitudinal groove a. a. This casing is secured to the door or to the lock.

(2nd) A rotatable cylinder 0 exactly fitted in the opening of the casing t and traversed by a longitudinal groove 5 corresponding to the grooves a. a.

(3rd) Two series of plates 0. 01. disposed alternately in the groove 6 of the cylinder and forming tumbler elements. The ends of these plates enga ed in the grooves a. a. under the action 0% springs e, igs. 7 and 8, may be freed as will be seen hereinafter, by the action of the key.

(4th) A key Figs. 5 and6' having an H shaped. section, the two parallel sides f of which are rectilinear while the cross member 9 is waved irregularly throughout its length. The side members terminate in a beveled end la, which permits their introduction into the device.

The plates 0 Figs. 7 to 10 are provided with rectangular openings forming at their lower end a projecting tongue u intended to rest on the waved portion of the key. The plates d are similarly shaped save that the tongue to is at the upper end.

In the inoperative position of the device, Figs. 7 and 8, the superposed tongues u leave two small openings 2'. i. which prevent fraudulent attempts to operate the look. In this position the plates engaged in the grooves a under the action of the springs e' prevent any movement of the cylinder 0. If the key is then introduced by causing the sides to move into the openings 2'. 11. the inclined surfaces of the key end draw the lates into the cylinder forming a passage or the waved portion against which the tongues u then bear. The plates are then more or less displaced according to the part of the waved cross member on which they rest and they.

are provided with an opening and a tongue in order that when the key is completely pushed in, Figs. 1 and 3, they may be all disengaged from their groove. The cylinder may then be' turned, which by an external extension j or by any suitable arrangement actuates the bolt, looks or other closing members. The key, Figs. 5 and 6, is provided along one of its sides with a longitudinal groove m corresponding 'to a projection n, Figs. 2 and 1, so'as to prevent it being presented incorrectly to the device.

Each plate being formed with an opening and tongue to occupy a certain position in the cylinder and to correspond to a key of certain form, the slightest variation in the waved portion of the key will have for effect to leave one or more plates in engagement with one or other of the grooves a and prevent the lock from being opened. The device may be such as to allow the use of master keys. Figs. 1 to 4 show one example thereof. Fig. 1 shows a device fixed to the door 19 of a strong-box and comprising eight pairs of plates, the key being shown in full position ready to operate. Fig. 3 shows a device fixed to the lock 8 of a door and comprising only three pairs of plates similar to those at the inner end of the device shown in Fig. 1. It is clear thatthe key of F ig. 1 will open this door if only the outer end -portion of the waved part is used, but a special key may also be provided which is shorter and includes only this end portion which will open the door yet cannot open the strong box. Thus there may be, a series of devices comprising from two to seven pairs of plates with reduced keys adapted to actuate only the number. of plates for which they are made and numbers less than that.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same isto be performed I declare that'what I claim is A safety device for looks, comprising in combination, a casing provided with a'plu- ,rality of oppositely disposed longitudinal grooves, a cylinder rotatable in said casing and having a plurality of alternately disposed spring-pressed slidable plates nor-' mally projecting into a pair of said grooves at dia'metricall opposite sides of the casing, each of said p ates being provided with an openin and a ro'ectin ton no in said g P l i g openings, said key also having between, its

sides a pair of undulating ribs adapted to contact with said tongues thereby to withdraw the plates into unlocking position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ANTOINE ANDREANI.

Witnesses: i 4

LOUIS H. MUNIER,

E. G.-Gos'rAomn. 

